Notable Cast: James Earl Jones (Star Wars, The Sandlot) as Othello Christopher Plummer (Sound of Music, Inside Man) as Iago Dianne Wiest (Synecdoche, New York) (ha crazy I know) as Desdemona Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) as Cassio
Comparison:
As Jones and Plummer are two major actors of their time, the pairing of the two compares to the plot of Othello as a "contest of equals." (Gussow) Both James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer have been a part of major films in their time including Star Wars and The Sound of Music. Gussow sees Jones "barrel-chested bearing" as providing a monarchical presence for the presentation of the character of Othello. Plummer, on the other hand, is shown accurately as the conniving, nimble pest that the character of Iago is to Othello.
"The Stratford ''Othello,'' which opened Thursday night, is not a completely realized production of the play, but a mano a mano encounter between two formidable actors. When they are in action, it is an evening of fire (Mr. Jones) and brimstone (Mr. Plummer)." (Gussow, New York Times)
Facts:
Opened - Feb. 3, 1982
Finale - May, 23, 1982
Number of Performances: 126
Christopher Plummer was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role as Iago.
Gussow, Mel. "STAGE: PLUMMER, JONES STAR IN NEW 'OTHELLO'" The New York Times. 22 Aug. 1981. 14 Dec. 2008
Notable Cast:
Comparison:
As Jones and Plummer are two major actors of their time, the pairing of the two compares to the plot of Othello as a "contest of equals." (Gussow) Both James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer have been a part of major films in their time including Star Wars and The Sound of Music. Gussow sees Jones "barrel-chested bearing" as providing a monarchical presence for the presentation of the character of Othello. Plummer, on the other hand, is shown accurately as the conniving, nimble pest that the character of Iago is to Othello.
"The Stratford ''Othello,'' which opened Thursday night, is not a completely realized production of the play, but a mano a mano encounter between two formidable actors. When they are in action, it is an evening of fire (Mr. Jones) and brimstone (Mr. Plummer)." (Gussow, New York Times)
Facts:
Opened - Feb. 3, 1982
Finale - May, 23, 1982
Number of Performances: 126
Christopher Plummer was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role as Iago.
Gussow, Mel. "STAGE: PLUMMER, JONES STAR IN NEW 'OTHELLO'" The New York Times. 22 Aug. 1981. 14 Dec. 2008
<http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9f07eedd123bf931a1575bc0a967948260>. Review - New York Times
"Othello." Internet Broadway Database. 13 Dec. 2008 <http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4160>. The Broadway Production